Chapter 58 Day 70 - Trout Season

A Good Week For Tying

Fly swaps can be fun, but I haven't participated in one for years.  Currently the Blue River Fly Fishers have a fly swap going on, and I indeed did sign up. 

I don't mind fly swaps these days... I just wish I could see a little better.  A fly tying magnifying glass has been on the wish list for years, but, waders, boots, rods, or other stuff always seem to trump this much needed fly tying tool in this fly tying life. 

Originally, I was going to tie a beadhead pheasant tail cripple (or challenged) pattern.  However, upon checking inventory, discovery revealed a severe shortage on the appropriate sized beadheads. 

One material I did have plenty of was hare's ear mask and hare's ear flavored bug fur so close to two dozen classic hare's ear patterns have been churned as an offering.  I hope they will fish well for many. 

Speaking of fly tying... when I arrived at the prairie home today there was a rooster perched in a tree out the back of the bunk house.  I have no idea where the poor chap came from and felt rather sorry for him.  He had took refuge in the tree, I figure, to escape the clutches of the area felines.  At first, I try to coax him down, but he wouldn't budge.  And, that's probably a good thing... I may have been tempted to borrow some of his feathers. 

With the weather turning, for the most part, raw the rest of this week I do plan on spending a good amount of time on the vise.  After yesterday's experience with those midge blasting trout, a good number of different midge patterns or in order.  And then, there is a scheduled trip to the catch & release looming on the horizon and the need for some patterns for that area is also in order.  

Chapter 58 Day 69 - Trout Season

Too Much Enthusiasm




It seems like my enthusiasm got the best of me this morning.  I knew any outing to Blue River would be a turnaround trip - get there, jump out of the schooner, mad dash to the water and maybe forty-five minutes of fishing, and then deadhead back to the workplace. 

If I'd known this morning that once arriving at the river I would find the trout keying on midges, I'd just stayed at work.  When the trout are fixated and feasting on midges, it... drives... me.... nuts! 

In the water I was standing there was an assault by the trout taking place that was nothing short of phenomenal.  It was a gorge-fest.  I could easily tell from the numbers and frequency of the assaults that the competition from the naturals would prove to be too much for my flies. 

After tying on six different midge patterns - different sizes and variations, I only had two eats and would end up losing those fish before they came to hand.

Finally, I gave up... had to get back anyhow. 

I left the river with my tail between the legs. 

VIDEO FROM MITCHELL GEORGE

Mitchell George has been doing some video work on Blue River and I feel obliged to include his video on these posts.

In this video, Mitchell takes us into the south wilderness and gives us a look underneath the surface. 

Chapter 58 Day 68 - Trout Season

That Wonderful South Kingdom

Pulling out from the prairie home this morning, Stone Temple was along for the ride with me.  I wouldn't get to the river until shortly after 7:30 though.

Boone got to the river rather early and had already made one pass at Chris, but Chris was away from his campsite.  By the time I hit the campsite, Chris was already in the water.  Boone had decided to fish the water upstream from the crossing and make a second attempt at connecting with Chris and me. 

Fishing around the boulder at 17, the fishing was on the rather slow side.  Chris and I together only managed a few fish.  Probably around thirty minutes after I had started fishing Boone makes his second run and we finally all meet.  After a short visit and some coffee to warm us, we decide to hit the south wilderness.

The south wilderness would prove to be very kind to all of us today.  The wind was still quite brisk out of the north when we arrived in the heart of the wild, but it wasn't long until it tapered down. 

Everyone in our entourage was catching trout today. On my first cast in the south wilderness, a trout came to hand, on the second cast I missed the hookset, and the third cast another trout came to hand.  We all went upstream and that's when the fishing got crazy.  It was a fish almost every cast. 

Boone was using San Juan Worms and midge patterns, I was using brown buggers and prince nymphs, and ol' Chris was using the one and only Bubba Bugger.  Bubba was doing some damage on the trout today! 

We weren't the only ones looking for trout today - so was Boone's friend Josie.

After about two and a half hours we were all in the double digits... except Josie that is. 

The most ridiculous thing about fishing this morning was that Chris broke his rod tip about half way through the morning - yes, he snapped the rod tip off.  But, that didn't stop Chris from fishing - he just kept roll casting and capturing trout.

After a good morning of fishing, we decide to hit Scotty's for some burgers and it was Boone's treat.  Thanks Boone! 

After lunch, it was time for me to head back to the prairie home, but Chris and Boone had their eyes set on the catch & release area, so I left them to their quest. 

I hope they made a killin'. 

Here's some action from today.

Chapter 58 Day 67 - Trout Season

Due Process

Yesterday, I reported how delighted I was with the dispatch the pony express delivered to my prairie home.  Today, was a different story however. 

Instead of getting some more stuff or notice from Publisher's Clearinghouse declaring me a winner, the rider deposited a large brown envelope into the dispatch receptacle. 

Grabbing the envelope, the first thing I noticed was the sender's address - Legal Division, Oklahoma Department of Mines.  At first my thinking was, "Hey, they must have read the blog about those big arse holes in the ground they're allowing to grow!"  Upon closer inspection though, the envelope contained a lot, and I mean a lot, of filed papers that were in response to the latest proposed mine that is currently under review in this area. 

The majority of the paperwork involved was the same request for a formal hearing that I sent in.  There were probably close to fifty other local people that filed the same paperwork as I did and like I said that adds up to a lot of paperwork.  Sure hope they're using recycled paper.

There's an old adage on this sea of the prairie ocean that pretty well says, "If you don't like what your about to step in... then it's best to go around."  But, there are times that the situation at hand is such you simply take a big step right into the middle of the mess. 

What is at stake is a good number of things, but the main motivating factor for me was the continued assault on a unique and precious aquifer - a sole source aquifer that is the lifeblood of Blue River and many other small streams, creeks, and waterways in this area. 

While perusing all the papers within the envelope, I noted with interest a rather formal letter of a request for a formal hearing from the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife.  Also, there was another formal letter from the Department of Interior.  These two agencies took the time and interest to outline their issues with possible problems of yet another big hole going in the ground. 

In filing the request for a formal hearing there were a number of issues we listed as to why the application for another mine should be further examined.  Please have a look for yourself what the first two bulleted issues are.

I'm sure there are those out there that think my only concern in this is out of fear I may someday be void of water to fly fish.  This is so much more than fly fishing however.  It's about this ecology, environment, and the community of wildlife that depend on humanity to make smart and well thought-out decisions.

Now that notifications have been sent informing those of us that asked for a formal hearing, the legal and political ramblings will accelerate. 

It's at this point, I tend to fade from the whole process because I own no sense to legal issues and when it comes to politics I grow sick of my stomach. 

I find it sad that for many of us all we have is our passion and passion, unfortunately, does not speak as loudly as it once did. 

I am sure there are many, like me, that believe if it'd do any good we'd drive to the governor's office... and once there get on our knees and ask her to stop the destruction of our aquifer, natural resources, and future. 

Passion seems to have no place in due process.  

Chapter 58 Day 66 - Trout Season

Pony Express Pleasure

I'm sure I'm not telling any of you folk something new by saying how hard it is to go through a day like today and not be able to be on the water.  Everytime I stepped out the back door of the mercantile store today, the weather seemed to get just a tad bit... better. 

It was torture I tell you.  A fellow or lass could have been on the river today and been quite comfortable with a lightweight shirt on. 

My fellow co-workers kept asking me what was wrong with me today, and with each time I would reply "nothing", they would ask the further extension of their question by saying, "Why are your shoulders so slumped?" 

Somehow, the long day at the mercantile store came to and end and I went to my prairie home where my mood would certainly change for the better. 

Never have I been someone that can not wait until the mail delivery arrives and this is probably due to the fact regular monthly bills do little to make my day so to speak.  However today... the pony express was very good to me. 

The dispatch delivered to my doorstep a couple of boxes of new fly line and a new pair of wading boots. 

The Sage Ultimate Performance lines I ordered came today.  Since they were less than half price it was an easy decision to order two just in cast the cat goes on another tear and chews another line up. 

Then, there was the larger box of today's delivery.  The new L L Bean wading boots arrived to take the place of the Simms I've been wearing.  Although these new travelers are nowhere as durable as the Simms they are about half the weight which is going to help me tremendously.  I got away from felt on this pair of boots opting for a safer, more water-healthy-friendly verison... and I'm glad I did.  L L Bean has promised that the soles of these boots are of slip prevention design and it won't be too long until I put that promise to the test. 

It didn't take long to enlist the help of Miss Carol and together we ripped the damaged fly line off the reel and added the new Sage.  As it is with removing old line, that line has to go somewhere.  I hate the thought of just tossing the line into the dumpster.

 

So, being on a never ending quest to achieve a cleaner, healthier, and sustainable environment I'd like to tell you about Flyvines.  The lads and lassies at Flyvines take old lines and create fly fishing accessories.  I'm sure you can contact the folk at Flyvines by email and get their mailing address to mail your spent fly lines so they will become someone's darling lanyard or sunglasses keeper.  I plan on mailing mine in soon. 



Chapter 58 Day 65 - Trout Season

Clear As Gin

I got to swing by the river today.  Arriving around 2 p.m., time was extremely short having to be back at the prairie home by 3:30. 

The river is as clear as gin in many areas.  In the shallow areas it is transparent!  When the river gets this clear we have to start re-examining our selections.  Usually I go to smaller and more natural looking patterns. 

Where I was on the river I saw trout keying on the midges, so I quickly grabbed my rod.  With time being so short, here I was on the river trying to push 4X through a size 20 midge pattern.  First of all, 4X is way too thick for that size of fly and secondly it's dog-gone hard to push that rope through a 20 eye.  I would have saved time - by taking the time - to add some 6X.

Two midge patterns were lost at sea from strikes and me trying to set the hook too hard.  One other midge was lost to the clutches of a cedar tree. 

I really didn't do well at all today with only one bow coming to hand.  The assaults by the trout were rather sporadic and one problem I had was not being able to get closer than thirty feet from where the limited activity was taking place.

So, be advised that the river in the campground area is clear as gin.  I don't know how more clear it can possibly become.

Chapter 58 Day 64 - Trout Season

Ancient Boulders Or Broken Arm Run

Last Friday while fishing with Charlie and Merc, Charlie got word that the trout were on the bite at a place he called the "rock field".  I asked him if he meant the Ancient Boulders, but he wasn't familiar with that namesake. 

On the way up there I told Charlie to be prepared for some of the toughest, if not the toughest, wading on the river. 

It's hard not to fish the Ancient Boulders.  As you look out on the river and see this garden of boulders you just know there are numerous pockets in between all the rock that are similar to what is known as tombstone topography. 

However, getting to those pockets without breaking your neck is the trick.  It's dicey!  Once you make it out into the Ancient Boulders you have the return trip, which always seems harder.

Merc took the top section of the run and that's not too bad to navigate.  Charlie went in a little below Merc and I took the middle.  Trying to get about three-quarters of the way across the river, I slipped three times; coming close to going in the drink backwards. 

The fishing at the Ancient Boulders can be rewarding.  It's a searching run with this pocket here and that pocket there. 

When we finished fishing the Ancient Boulders I started to ask Charlie if maybe we should rename this run to Broken Arm run or maybe Slip And Bust Butt run.  It's rough. 

You'll find the Ancient Boulders in the south wilderness about three-quarters of the way upstream toward the end of the wilderness.  You'll know it when you see it. 

A good piece of advice though.  Take a wading staff with you or if you void of said staff find yourself a good sturdy limb - it will help you navigate this wonderful little run. 

Chapter 58 Day 63 - Trout Season

Good Fortune And The Year Ahead

In celebrating New Year's Eve, Miss Carol and I decided to do Chinese food and therefore a trip to the New China Buffet was in order. 

The eats were pretty dog-gone good I tell you, and of course as it is with eating Chinese cuisine there is always that fortune cookie at the end of the meal. 

As I cracked the vessel that contained my future, the strip of paper inside fell to the table and the words revealed themselves.  The cookie simply said, "You're life will be peaceful and fulfilling." 

As I read the fortune that included the words peaceful and fulfilling... that somehow equated to the fact, at least to me,  I would be fly fishing a lot more in the upcoming year.

When I am fly fishing I am peaceful.  When fly fishing I find fulfillment. 

They say whatever you're doing on the first day of the new year is what you will do the rest of that year... so I went fly fishing.  On the river Blue I caught up with long time friend Chris Adams and we fished together.  No, we didn't get to fish long, but, the time spent was peaceful and fulfilling.

It may come as a surprise to anyone that knows my rough talking, beer drinking self... that I find time to worship. 

But, I do.  More often than most think. 

There was a time that my arse cheeks were so familiar with a certain padded pew that they probably had conversations with one another, while the man of the cloth was behind the podium and the choir sang away. 

However, there came a time I opted to leave the padded pew of the brick and mortar building and take seat on a granite boulder somewhere within nature. 

I believe I became somewhat like John Muir in my belief that we can find the presence of the divine in nature. 

While sitting on a granite boulder the sky becomes the auditorium and the music of the river becomes the choir.  Here I sit anytime I want - not just a Sunday morning or Wednesday evening, and talk with God at my time of choosing.  The conversations are more frequent than most would think, when most that know me... think about me. 

My conversations, my worship, my prayers, bring me peace and fulfillment.  Nature has become my church and as any good elder, any good deacon, any good steward... I try and take good care of my church. 

So, if you see me on the river sitting on the boulder with the fly fixed to the guide of the rod, and my head gently bent down... just give me a few moments undisturbed.

And, then there will be fly fishing again.